‘Tis the season: Many candidate forums set

In preparation for the Aug. 7 general election — and the July 18 to Aug. 2 early voting period — several candidate debates and other political events are scheduled in the next two weeks.

by Donna Smith/The Oak Ridger

In preparation for the Aug. 7 general election — and the July 18 to Aug. 2 early voting period — several candidate debates and other political events are scheduled in the next two weeks.***A forum for the Juvenile Court judge candidates will be held 6 to 7 tonight at the Clinton Pubic Library. The event is sponsored by Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of the Tennessee Heartland and Community Mediation Services (CMS).Each candidate — Republican nominee Brian Hunt and Democratic nominee Michael Clement — will have an opportunity to address the group; several questions will be taken from the audience, according to a news release from the event sponsors. More information can be found at www.casatnh.org.***Candidates will be asked questions and given the chance to talk at three morning events at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.Thursday’s 7:30 a.m. event will feature candidates for Anderson County mayor — Terry Frank, the incumbent and the Republican Party nominee, Democratic nominee Jim Hackworth, and Bradley S. Rickett, who is running as an independent.On Monday, the 7:30 a.m. event will include Republican candidates for the Third Congressional District — incumbent Chuck Fleischmann and Weston Wamp. Both are seeking the nomination in the Republican Primary.At 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 15, the event will include candidates for Anderson County Commission’s Oak Ridge Districts of 6, 7 and 8. They are: District 6 — Anthony Allen, Joey Anderson, Harry “Whitey” Hitchcock, and Steve Mead; District 7 — Jimmy Bouchard, Jerry Creasey, Michael Marsh, Denny Phillips, Kelvin Rice, and Theresa Scott; and District 8 — Robin Biloski, Myron Iwanski and Myra Mansfield.***The Anderson County Chamber of Commerce is hosting a debate for the county mayoral and sheriff candidates at 6 p.m. Thursday at The Ritz Theater, 119 N. Main St., Clinton. Newstalk 98.7 talk show host Hallerin Hilton Hill will be the moderator.Participating in the debate will be mayoral candidates Frank, Hackworth, and Rickett.In the sheriff’s race, incumbent Paul White, the Democratic nominee, and the Republican nominee, Anthony Lay will be debating.Candidates will not receive questions prior to the debate, according to a Chamber news release. All questions may not be addressed due to time constraints. For more information, contact the Chamber at (865) 457-2559.***Also on Thursday, area voters are invited to a “Meet the Candidates” event from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Oak Ridge Civic Center gymnasium.Democracy for East Tennessee is sponsoring this event. The offices on the ballot are chancellor, circuit court clerk, District 4 constable, county commissioners for Districts 6, 7 and 8, county clerk, county mayor, juvenile court judge, criminal-circuit court judge, district attorney, General Sessions judges, public defender, register of deeds, Republican and Democratic State Executive Committee persons, road superintendent, Anderson County Board of Education, sheriff, Tennessee House of Representatives 33rd District, and trustee, the release said. Time and space will be provided for citizens to talk to candidates. There will be a table for each candidate to display literature and campaign gear. Light refreshments will be provided.For information, contact Tom Burns, (865) 385-7063, or Joan Cassens, (865) 220-8900.***The League of Woman Voters of Oak Ridge will hold three candidate forums in July, two of them for Anderson County candidates and one for the Roane County candidates.The first Anderson County Forum will be held on Tuesday, July 15, and will feature candidates for Anderson County offices and judicial positions. The second forum will be held on Thursday, July 17, and will feature Oak Ridge candidates for the Anderson County Commission and Anderson County Board of Education. Both forums will start at 7 p.m. and be held in the amphitheater at Oak Ridge High School, 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The Roane County Candidate Forum will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 22, in the City Room (A111) of Roane State Community College in Oak Ridge. This forum will feature candidates for Roane County offices and judicial positions and candidates who would represent Oak Ridge districts on the Roane County Commission and Board of Education. Roane State in Oak Ridge is located at 701 Briarcliff Ave. According to a League news release, candidates in contested races have been invited to make an opening statement, participate in a question-and-answer-session, and conclude with a closing statement. Candidates with no opposition will be introduced. After the formal program has ended the audience can join the candidates for additional discussion and greetings. ***All of these events are open to the public and are free to attend. The Anderson County Election Commission is publishing a ballot in the newspaper Wednesday.Donna Smith can be contacted at (865) 220-5502.